Buying a Home

Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you will make, with long-term financial ramifications. It calls for many informed decisions and for good advice from a real estate professional. When buying a home, you can learn from the knowledge and skill of a Real Estate Agent.

What can Real Estate Agents do to help you buy the right home for you?

They will help you determine how much home you can actually afford. Often, they can suggest additional ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods. They can also introduce you to a mortgage counselor and arrange to have you "pre-approved" which can improve your negotiating position and enable you to achieve your home-buying objectives faster and with less stress.

Providing client level services, they can work for you as a buyer's agent and help negotiate the best price and terms for you. Or, they can serve as a seller's sub-agent (or disclosed dual agent), acting as a liaison between you and the seller to present offers and counteroffers until an agreement is reached.

They will help you work out a realistic idea of the home best suited to your needs - size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping, and other personal preferences.

They have access to a listing of all available homes in the multi-list system, can evaluate them in terms of your needs and affordability, and will not waste your time showing you unsuitable homes.

They can often suggest simple, imaginative changes that could make a home more suitable for you and improve its utility and value.

They can supply information on real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of proposed zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.

Although the law does not normally require an attorney to review documents or oversee real estate closings, they can provide you with a list of law practitioners to choose from if you would like to use the services of an attorney.

They can help familiarize you with the closing process and they will obtain closing figures in advance of closing for your review.

They can provide you with a list of qualified home inspectors, pest inspectors, surveyors, and help to coordinate inspection appointments.

Top 10 Tips to Successful Home Buying

Tip #1: Research Is The Key To Discovery

Home sellers won't call you with an offer to buy a maintenance-free home with a wonderful mortgage. You have to find the gems yourself! Only by reading available materials, talking to friends and experts, and spending time looking at different homes, schools, and neighborhoods will you end up with your American dream. Avoid the nightmares by learning how best to buy and maintain a home.

Tip #2: Make A Plan And Get Pre-Qualified

Every important decision needs to be clearly thought out. Developing a home buying plan can help you focus on the important factors and organize the entire process. You may even want to use a binder with sections on house hunting, home financing, service providers, etc. Loan pre-qualifying helps you determine the home price you can afford and presents you as a genuine prospect to the seller. A lender typically uses the 28% formula (your monthly mortgage can't exceed 28% of your monthly income) in approving your loan. Planning your actions and getting pre-qualified will keep you out of the panic mode and allow you to take advantage of opportunities. A thorough plan will save both time and money!

Tip #3: Value, Value, Value

The days of 10-30% annual appreciation have passed. Homebuyers in the 1970's benefited tremendously from what seemed like ever appreciating home prices. Nowadays, you're looking at slow growth while guarding against the possibilities of falling prices, skyrocketing ARM rates and corporate layoffs that can dramatically affect your home values. The classic rule of buying the worst house in the best neighborhood still applies. If you buy with an eye towards improvement, you can customize the home to fit your needs. The saying, "make money buying a home, not selling one," should keep you focused on the long-term importance of the purchasing price.

Tip #4: Create A Top 10 List Of Amenities

When shopping for a home, list the features (fireplace, fenced-in yard, new appliances, etc.) that are most important to you in deciding on which home to buy. Establishing "your criteria" early on will save time shopping for inappropriate homes and may keep you from buying a home on a whim. As detailed in Tip #3, your top reason for buying a home should be the value you are getting. Some of your top 10 amenities should logically be sacrificed if an incredible value is available.

Tip #5: Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Adjustable rate mortgages have an initial fixed rate, which is followed by a period of adjustment intervals during which the rate adjusts based on the performance of several key indexes. Typically the initial fixed rate on an ARM is slightly lower than the comparable rate of a fixed rate mortgage.

Fixed rate mortgages allow buyers to take out a long term loan without having to worry about changing interest rates or monthly payments. Most fixed rate loans are offered in either 15 or 30 year terms.

Most buyers will be well served by a fixed rate loan, but each situation is unique. While ARM loans have become less popular in recent years, they can still be a viable option for some buyers - especially those who plan on selling again in the short term.

Whichever loan you choose; make sure that you scrutinize all the closing costs. If you are required to have a mortgage escrow account and private mortgage insurance, make sure you understand the terms and cancellation procedures (your Real Estate Agent has publications to assist you). Also, make sure there are no prepayment penalties so that you can utilize an accelerated mortgage plan. A good mortgage reduction plan can save you tens of thousands in interest costs, and shorten your loan term, with only small extra principal payments. If you experience negative changes in your job, health, or marital status, you can revert to the standard payments in your mortgage contract.

Tip #6: Sign A Contract That Protects You

Make sure that the contract you put on a house allows you to arrange financing, inspect the home and negotiate any problems that you uncover. Ensuring that the contract you sign will minimize potential legal battles will let you swim in your new pool with your family and neighbors instead of with the sharks.

Tip #7: Put Yourself In The Seller's Shoes

You are about to make one of the most important decisions that will affect both your life and the life of the seller. If you take time to understand the reasons the seller bought the home, their reasons for selling, and the home improvements they have or have not made, you'll be in a better position to evaluate the home and negotiate a better deal. In the end, the home buying process excludes the professionals and comes down to the individuals buying and selling the home. A closer look at the seller may help you in deciding whether and for how much to buy a particular home.

Tip #8: Develop A Mortgage Shopping Chart

One of the biggest decisions to make before putting a contract on a home is how to finance the purchase. There are 10,000 lenders competing for your mortgage business. The days of simply walking into the community bank and negotiating with the loan department manager are over. Today, you can apply for a loan over the Internet or even use a mortgage broker to shop for your loan with hundreds of lenders. When choosing a lender, you want to avoid apples to oranges contrasts by comparing fixed rates to fixed rates, not fixed to ARM's. Create a chart that lists different types of loans, fees, and at least five mortgage providers (including a mortgage broker).

Tip #9: Get A Quality Home Inspection

Although it is hard to believe, more people pay for inspections before buying used cars than when making the biggest investment of their lives - their homes. Paying for a qualified home inspection before you buy a home isn't just spending "a little extra" for peace of mind; it's absolutely essential for anyone who doesn't want to spend thousands of dollars for repairs.

Tip#10: Peace Of Mind: Home Protection Plans

To protect both you as a buyer, as well as the seller, it is a good idea to purchase a home protection plan. What exactly is it? A home warranty, or home protection plan, is a service contract, normally for one year, which protects homeowners against the cost of unexpected repairs or replacement of their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. A negotiable contract between the buyers and sellers which does not overlap or replace homeowner's insurance policy, this type of warranty can save the new homeowner lots of headaches, as well as put seller's fears to rest. The warranty covers mechanical breakdowns, while insurance typically repairs the related damage. For example: if a hot water heater burst and destroyed a wall in your home, the warranty would repair the water heater and your insurance would pay to fix the wall!

Mortgages

The modern mortgage market offers a variety of mortgage loans catering to the needs of homebuyers. The titles and details of these plans can become confusing, especially as new types are introduced continuously. You can make sense of these loan types, however, if you understand the basic principles that govern all mortgage loans. Again, you can look to your real estate professional for assistance.

Basic Principles of all Mortgage Loans

The home is used as security to back up the loan. A lender can force sale of the home if the borrower defaults by failing to make scheduled payments.

The larger the loan compared to the value of the home, the more risky for the lender and, often, the more expensive the loan will be.

Interest earned by the lender always is equal to the periodic interest rate times the outstanding principle balance of the loan. The periodic interest rate is the annual interest rate divided by the number of payments in the year (usually one per month).

The required payment usually is a bit larger than the interest due so that some of the loan principal is repaid with each payment. This process is called Amortization and is why most mortgage loans can be retired when all the monthly payments have been made.

All mortgage loans have one of the following features:

Fixed payment and fixed interest rate - fixed rate mortgages

Fixed rate but variable payment - graduated payment mortgages

Variable rate and variable payment - adjustable rate mortgages

As you learn more about the types of financing available, you will notice that some loans appear to have more favorable terms. That may indicate that those loans are, indeed, bargains (and it does pay to shop around), but usually it means that those loans could have some feature that is less appealing to borrowers. For example, shorter-term loans often have slightly lower interest rates compared to longer-term loans. However, the monthly payment for the same amount of principal may be higher because of the shorter term. Variable rate loans usually have much lower interest rates to compensate for the risk the borrower accepts that interest rates will rise in the future.

Owning a Home

Home Price Appreciation

How can I improve the value of my property?

Outside of a homeowner's control, the biggest factor is market conditions. Other important issues are:

condition of the property

specific home improvements

neighborhood stability and safety

The greatest rise in home prices occurs when the economy is strong and the number of home sales is increasing. Specific home improvements can increase the value above the cost of the improvements.

remodeled bathroom returns, 81 percent to the owner

bathroom addition, 89 percent

master bedroom suite, 82 percent

Remember, quality pays. Well-planned and well-executed remodeling jobs are a good investment while bad work seldom enhances value or livability.

The safety and security of a neighborhood can affect property values, too. If you live in a high-crime area, an organized community watch program not only will lower the crime rate but give home values a boost, too.

How can I increase the value of my property?

Specific home improvements can increase your property value above the cost of the improvements themselves, such as remodeling a kitchen, adding a bathroom, finishing a basement or upgrading landscaping. Just be sure that quality pays with remodeling. A bad remodeling job will do little to boost your property value.

If you live in a high-crime area, an organized community watch program not only will lower the crime rate but can enhance property values, too. It also helps to live in an area where other homeowners are upgrading their homes, which can help pull up your property value, too.

The bottom line is to measure the cost of any improvements you want to make against the overall values in your neighborhood. If you over improve for the neighborhood, you may not necessarily recover your costs or boost your property value significantly.

Will buying a bigger home increase my profit?

Consider these questions before making a choice between adding on to an existing home or moving up in the market to a bigger house:

How much money is available, either from cash reserves or through a home improvement loan, to remodel the current house?

How much additional space is required? Would the foundation support a second floor or does the lot have room to expand on the ground level?

What do local zoning and building ordinances permit?

How much equity already exists in the property?

Are there affordable properties for sale that would satisfy housing needs?

Ultimately, the decision should be based on individual needs, the extent of work involved and what will add the most value.

How do I find out how much my home is worth?

A comparative market analysis and an appraisal are the standard methods for determining a home's value.

Your real estate agent will be able to provide a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of value based on comparable sales in the neighborhood. Be sure you get listing prices of current homes on the market as well as those that have sold. You also can research this yourself by checking on recent sales in public records. Be sure that you are researching properties that are similar in size, construction and location. This information is not only available at your local recorder's or assessor's office but also through private companies and on the Internet.

An appraisal, which generally costs $200 to $300 to perform, is a certified appraiser's opinion of the value of a home at any given time. Appraisers review numerous factors including recent comparable sales, location, square footage and construction quality.

What are the differences between market value and appraised value?

The appraised value of a house is a certified appraiser's opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; fees range from $200 to $300.

Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis is the most accurate way to determine what your home is worth.

Condos and Home Associations

Are condos a good investment?

Condominiums have held their value as an investment despite economic downturns and problems with some associations. In fact, condos have appreciated more in the past few years than when they first came on the scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, experts say.

While there are lots of reports about homeowners association disputes and construction-defect problems, the industry has worked hard to turn its image around. Elected volunteers who serve on association boards are better trained at handling complex budget and legal issues, for example, while many boards go to great lengths to avoid the kind of protracted and expensive litigation that has hurt resale value in the past.

Meanwhile, changing demographics are making condominiums more attractive investments for single homebuyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in expensive markets.

What kinds of rules and regulations do Associations regulate?

Typical covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs), which govern condo associations, give the board authority to make and enforce reasonable rules for the use of common property. But that would not apply to interior spaces owned by smokers themselves.

A homeowners association's board of directors can restrict smoking if it applies to indoor common spaces such as hallways or recreation rooms. Outdoor spaces are a different story, say legal experts. Any restriction would probably hinge on local laws (i.e. if a city banned smoking outdoors, a homeowners association probably could restrict smoking in its outdoor spaces).

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act does not require strictly residential apartments and single-family homes to be made accessible. But all new construction of public accommodations or commercial projects (such as a government building or a shopping mall) must be accessible. New multi-family construction also falls into this category.

In all states, the Federal Fair Housing Act provides protection against discrimination for people with physical or mental disabilities. Discrimination includes the refusal to make reasonable modifications to buildings that aren't accessible to the disabled.

What fees can I expect to pay a home association?

Condominium owners pay a fee, usually monthly, to the homeowner's association to cover the costs of managing and maintaining all common areas. In addition, you may pay extra assessments for major maintenance projects. In general these must be voted on by the association board or in some cases by all of the owners. The particular cost of monthly fees and the rules regarding special assessments vary from association to association. When considering a condominium, it's a good idea to thoroughly research the fees and bylaws of the condo association.

Are homeowner association fees tax deductible?

Homeowners association fees are considered personal living expenses and are not tax-deductible. If, however, an association has a special assessment to make one or more capital improvements, condo owners may be able to add the expense to their cost basis. Cost basis is a term for the money an owner spends for permanent improvements throughout their time in the home and is used to reduce eventual capital gains taxes when the property is sold. For example, if the association puts a new roof on a building, the expense could be considered part of a condo owner's cost basis only if they lived directly underneath it. Overall improvements to common areas, such as the installation of a swimming pool, need to be considered on a case-by-case basis but most can be included in the cost basis of any owner who can show their home directly benefits from the work.

To find out more about how the IRS views condo association fees, look to IRS Publication 17, "Your Federal Income Tax," which includes a section on condos. Order a free copy by calling (800) TAX-FORM.

Improving Real Estate

Are there government programs for rehabilitation?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 203 (K) rehabilitation loan program is designed to facilitate major structural rehabilitation of houses with one to four units that are more than one year old. Condominiums are not eligible.

The 203(K) loan is usually done as a combination loan to purchase a fixer-upper property "as is" and rehabilitate it, or to refinance a temporary loan to buy the property and do the rehabilitation. It can also be done as a rehabilitation-only loan.

Plans and specifications for the proposed work must be submitted for architectural review and cost estimation. Mortgage proceeds are advanced periodically during the rehabilitation period to finance the construction costs.

For a list of participating lenders, call HUD at (202) 708-2720.

If you are a veteran, loans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also can be used to buy a home, build a home, improve a home or to refinance an existing loan. VA loans frequently offer lower interest rates than ordinarily available with other kinds of loans. To qualify for a loan, the first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.

Another program is the Federal Housing Administration's Title 1 FHA loan program.

How much can I expect to spend on maintenance?

Experts generally agree that you can plan on annually spending 1 percent of the purchase price of your house on repairing gutters, caulking windows, sealing your driveway and the myriad other maintenance chores that come with the privilege of homeownership. Newer homes will cost less to maintain than older homes. It also depends on how well the house has been maintained over the years.

What repairs should I make before putting a home on the market?

If you want to get top dollar for your property, you probably need to make all minor repairs and selected major repairs before going on the market. Nearly all purchase contracts include an inspection clause, a buyer contingency that allows a buyer to back out if numerous defects are found or negotiate their repair.

The trick is not to overspend on pre-sale repairs, especially if there are few houses on the market but many buyers willing to buy at almost any price. On the other hand, making such repairs may be the only way to sell your house in a down market.

Can neighbor problems de-value the property?

While it may not reduce the actual value, a cluttered landscape next door can detract from the positive aspects of your home. Review your local laws, which should be on file at the public library, county law library or City Hall.

A typical "junk vehicle" ordinance, for example, requires any disabled car to either be enclosed or placed behind a fence. And most cities prohibit parking any vehicle on a city street too long.

It also may be worthwhile to check into local zoning ordinances. An operator of a home-based business usually is required to obtain a variance or permanent zoning change in residential areas.

In addition, if a neighbor's repair work produces loud noises, he may be breaking local noise-control ordinances, which are enforced by the police department.

Before bringing in the authorities, you may want to make a copy of the pertinent ordinance and give it to your neighbor to give them a chance to correct the problem.

Such policies are "all-risk" policies, which cover everything except earthquakes, floods, war and nuclear accidents.

A basic policy can be expanded to include additional coverage, such as for floods and earthquakes and even workers' compensation for servants or contractors. Home-based business-coverage, an increasingly popular rider, does not cover liability associated with the business.

Insurance experts recommend that homeowners obtain insurance equal to the full replacement value of the home. On a 2,000-square-foot home, for example, if the replacement cost is $80 per square foot, the house should be insured for at least $160,000.

For personal items, homeowners can increase their coverage beyond the depreciated value of items such as televisions or furniture by purchasing a "replacement-cost endorsement" on personal property.

Some experts recommend an inflation rider, which increases coverage as the home increases in value.

What is guaranteed replacement cost insurance?

Guaranteed replacement insurance is a more comprehensive policy. It tends to cost more, but it promises to cover the complete costs less deductible of replacing a destroyed house. With these sorts of policies, limits on the policies are not as common, because complete coverage is more explicit.

Taxes

Can property taxes be deducted?

Property taxes on all real estate, including those levied by state and local governments and school districts, are fully deductible against current income taxes.

Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible on a second home if you itemize. Check with your accountant or tax adviser for specifics.

How are property taxes configured?

Property taxes are what most homeowners in the United States pay for the privilege of owning a piece of real estate, on average 1.5 percent of the property's current market value. These annual local assessments by county or local authorities help pay for public services and are calculated using a variety of formulas.

How does home mortgage tax deductions work?

The mortgage interest deduction entitles you to completely deduct the interest on your home loan for the year in which you paid it. Mortgage interest is not a dollar-for-dollar tax cut; it reduces taxable income. You must itemize deductions in order to do this, which means your total deductions must exceed the IRS's standard deduction.

Another point to remember is that the amount of interest on your loan goes down each year you pay on your mortgage (all standard home-loan formulas pay off interest first before significantly paying into principal). That's why paying extra on your principal every year can help you pay off your loan early.

What is an impound account?

An impound account is a trust account established by the lender to hold money to pay for real estate taxes, and mortgage and homeowners insurance premiums as they are received each month.

Are points deductible?

If you are a buyer, and you or the seller pays points, they are deductible for the year in which they are paid only. You also can deduct any points you pay when you refinance your home, but you must do so ratably over the life of the loan. Consult your tax or financial advisor.

Are there tax breaks for first-time buyers?

Many city and county governments offer Mortgage Credit Certificate programs, which allow first-time homebuyers to take advantage of a special federal income tax write-off, which makes qualifying for a mortgage loan easier.

Requirements vary from program to program. People wanting to apply should contact their local housing or community development office.

Some things to keep in mind:

Some credit may be claimed only on your owner-occupied principal residence.

There are maximum income limits, which vary by locality and family size.

You must be a first-time homebuyer, which means you must not have had any kind of ownership interest in a principal residence during the past three years. This restriction may be waived, however, if you are buying property within certain target areas.

Allocations must be available. A local MCC program may have to decline new applications when it runs out of funds.

Are home improvements deductible?

What you spend on permanent home improvements, such as new windows, can be added into your home's cost basis, or amount of money invested in a home, which reduces capital gains when it comes time to sell. Capital gains are determined by the difference in price from the time a home is purchased and the time it is sold, minus the cost of any permanent improvements.

However, the 1997 tax changes virtually eliminate the capital gains tax for most homeowners (the exemption is $250,000 for single homeowners and $500,000 for married homeowners.

Still, it is worthwhile to save all receipts for permanent home improvements just in case. They also can be useful documentation when it comes to marketing your home when you sell.

Refinancing

When is the best time to refinance?

It depends on how long you plan to hold on to your house and if you have to pay anything to refinance. In addition, it also depends on how far along you are in paying off your current mortgage.

If you are going to be selling your house shortly, you probably will not recoup any costs you incur to refinance your mortgage. If you are more than halfway through paying your current mortgage, you probably will gain little by refinancing. However, if you are going to own your home for at least five years, that's probably long enough to recoup any refinancing costs you incur and to realize real savings on lowering your monthly payment. If it is going to cost you nothing to refinance, you can gain even more.

Many lenders will allow you to roll the costs of the refinancing into the new note and still reduce the amount of the monthly payment. Also, there are no-cost refinancing deals available. In any case, it pays to consult your lender or financial advisor, or run the numbers yourself, before you refinance.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of no-cost loans?

In many states, real estate regulatory agencies are cracking down on such advertising. The very term, "no-cost" loan, is misleading because borrowers are actually paying a higher interest rate in exchange for not having to pay fees or closing costs up front when the loan is secured.

A "no-points" loan is one for which the lender does not charge points (one point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount). But there are other fees involved in no-point loans, as with most loans.

How does bankruptcy affect my refinancing?

Refinancing may be prudent but could be difficult after a bankruptcy. If you're considering bankruptcy, you may want to go to your current lender first and explain the situation. If you have been current on your payments, the lender may be accommodating and refinance your loan, easing your financial situation.

Which home buying costs are deductible?

Any points you or the seller pay to purchase your home loan are deductible for that year. Property taxes and interest are deductible every year.

But while other home-buying costs (closing costs in particular) are not immediately tax-deductible, they can be figured into the adjusted cost basis of your home when you go to sell (any significant home improvements also can be calculated into your basis). These fees would include title insurance, loan-application fee, credit report, appraisal fee, service fee, settlement or closing fees, bank attorney's fee, attorney's fee, document preparation fee and recording fees. Points paid when you refinance an existing mortgage must be deducted ratably over the life of the new loan.

Investing in Real Estate

Foreclosures

Are foreclosures a good investment?

A foreclosure property is a home that has been repossessed by the lender because the owners failed to pay the mortgage. Thousands of homes end up in foreclosure every year. Economic conditions affect the number of foreclosures, too. Many people lose their homes due to job loss, credit problems or unexpected expenses.

It is wise to be cautious when considering a foreclosure. Many experts, in fact, advise inexperienced buyers to hire an expert to take them through the process. It is important to have the house thoroughly inspected and to be sure that any liens, undisclosed mortgages or court judgments are cleared or at least disclosed.

Are there different types of foreclosures?

Judicial foreclosure action is a proceeding in which a mortgage, a trustee or another lien holder on property requests a court-supervised sale of the property to cover the unpaid balance of a delinquent debt.

Non-judicial foreclosure is the process of selling real property under a power of sale in a mortgage or deed of trust that is in default. In such a foreclosure, however, the lender is unable to obtain a deficiency judgment, which makes some title insurance companies reluctant to issue a policy.

How do I find a foreclosed property?

In most states, a foreclosure notice must be published in the legal notices section of a local newspaper where the property is located or in the nearest city. Also, foreclosure notices are usually posted on the property itself and somewhere in the city where the sale is to take place.

When a homeowner is late on three payments, the bank will record a notice of default against the property. When the owner fails to pay up, a trustee sale is held, and the property is sold to the highest bidder. The financial institution that has initiated foreclosure proceedings usually will set the bid price at the loan amount.

Despite these seemingly straightforward rules, buying foreclosures is not as easy as it may sound. Sophisticated investors use the technique so novices may find themselves among stiff competition.

How does HUD affect my buying a foreclosure?

If you are strapped for cash and looking for a bargain, you may be able to buy a foreclosure property acquired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for as little as $100 down.

With HUD foreclosures, down payments vary depending on whether the property is eligible for FHA insurance. If not, payments range from 5 to 20 percent. But when the property is FHA-insured, the down payment can go much lower.

Each offer must be accompanied by an "earnest money" deposit equal to 5 percent of the bid price, not to exceed $2,000 but not less than $500.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers foreclosure properties which can be purchased directly from the VA often well below market value and with a down payment amount as low as 2 percent for owner-occupants. Investors may be required to pay up to 10 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. This is because the VA guarantees home loans and often ends up owning the property if the veteran defaults.

If you are interested in purchasing a VA foreclosure, call 1-800-827-1000 to request a current listing. About 100 new properties are listed every two weeks.

You should be aware that foreclosure properties are sold "as is," meaning limited repairs have been made but no structural or mechanical warranties are implied.

You can only purchase a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development property through a licensed real estate broker. HUD will pay the broker's commission up to 6 percent of the sales price.

Where do you find government foreclosed homes?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development acquires properties from lenders who foreclose on mortgages insured by HUD. These properties are available for sale to both homeowner-occupants and investors.

You can only purchase HUD-owned properties through a licensed real estate broker. HUD will pay the broker's commission up to 6 percent of the sales price.

Down payments vary depending on whether the property is eligible for FHA insurance. If not, payments range from the conventional market's 5 to 20 percent.

Buying a foreclosure property can be risky, especially for the novice. Usually, you buy a foreclosure property "as is," which means there is no warranty implied for the condition of the property (in other words, you can't go back to the seller for repairs). The condition of foreclosure properties is usually not known because an inspection of the interior of the house is not possible before the sale.

In addition, there may be problems with the title, though that is something you can check out before the purchase.

Buying directly at a legal foreclosure sale is risky and dangerous. It is strictly caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware").

The process has many disadvantages. There is no financing; you need cash and lots of it. The title needs to be checked before the purchase or the buyer could buy a seriously deficient title. The property's condition is not well known and an interior inspection of the property may not be possible before the sale.

In addition, only estate (probate) and foreclosure sales are exempt from some states' disclosure laws. In both cases, the law protects the seller (usually an heir or financial institution) who has recently acquired the property through adverse circumstances and may have little or no direct information about it.

Can I get financing on a foreclosure?

One reason there are few bidders at foreclosure sales is that it is next to impossible to get financing for such a property. You generally need to show up with cash and lots of it, or a line of credit with your bank upon which you can draw cashier's checks.

What are trustee sales?

Trustee sales are advertised in advance and require an all-cash bid. A sheriff, a constable or lawyer acting as trustee usually conducts the sale. This kind of sale, which usually attracts savvy investors, is not for the novice.

In a trustee sale, the lender who holds the first loan on the property starts the bidding at the amount of the loan being foreclosed. Successful bidders receive a trustee's deed.

Fixer-Uppers

Is it smart to even consider a fixer-upper?

It depends. Distressed properties or fixer-uppers can be found anywhere, even in wealthier neighborhoods. Such properties are poorly maintained and have a lower market value than other houses in the neighborhood.

Many experts recommend that before you make such an investment, first find the least desirable house in the best neighborhood. Then do the math to see if what it would cost to bring up the value of that property to its full potential market value is within your budget. If you are a novice buyer, it may be wiser to look for properties that only need cosmetic fixes rather than run-down houses that need major structural repairs.

Is there a tax break for a fixer-upper house if it is considered historical?

Qualified rehabilitated buildings and certified historic structures currently enjoy a 20 percent investment tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses. A historic structure is one listed in the National Register of Historic Places or so designated by an appropriate state or local historic district also certified by the government.

The tax code does not allow deductions for the demolition or significant alteration of a historic structure.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 203 (K) rehabilitation loan program is designed to facilitate major structural rehabilitation of houses with one to four units that are more than one year old. Condominiums are not eligible.

The 203(K) loan is usually done as a combination loan to purchase a fixer-upper property "as is" and rehabilitate it, or to refinance a temporary loan to buy the property and do the rehabilitation. It can also be done as a rehabilitation-only loan.

Plans and specifications for the proposed work must be submitted for architectural review and cost estimation. Mortgage proceeds are advanced periodically during the rehabilitation period to finance the construction costs.

For a list of participating lenders, call HUD at (202) 708-2720.

If you are a veteran, loans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also can be used to buy a home, build a home, improve a home, or refinance an existing loan. VA loans frequently offer lower interest rates than ordinarily available with other kinds of loans. To qualify for a loan, the first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility.

Are there special loans for fixer-uppers?

If you need a home loan to buy a "fixer-upper" and remodel it, look at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 203(K) loan program. The program is designed to facilitate major structural rehabilitation of houses with one to four units that are more than one year old. Condominiums are not eligible.

A 203(K) loan is usually done as a combination loan to purchase a "fixer-upper" property "as is" and rehabilitate it, or to refinance a temporary loan to buy the property and do the rehabilitation. It can also be done as a rehabilitation-only loan.

Investors must put 15 percent down while owner-occupants are required to come up with only 3 to 5 percent. HUD requires that a minimum of $5,000 be spent on improvements.

Two appraisals are required. Plans and specifications for the proposed work must be submitted for architectural review and cost estimation. Mortgage proceeds are advanced periodically during the rehabilitation period to finance the construction costs.

What are building codes?

Building codes are established by local authorities to set minimum public-safety standards for building design, construction, quality, use and occupancy, location and maintenance. There are specialized codes for plumbing, electrical and fire, which usually involve separate inspections and inspectors.

All buildings must be issued a building permit and a Certificate of Occupancy before it can be used. During construction, housing inspectors must make checks at key points. Codes are usually enforced by denying permits, occupancy certificates and by imposing fines.

Building codes also cover most remodeling projects. If you are buying a house that has been significantly remodeled, ask for proof of the permits involved before you purchase to avoid future liability for fines.

How do I find a good contractor?

While hiring contractors recommended by friends is usually a safe route, never hire a construction professional without first checking him or her out. If your state has a licensing board for contractors, call to find out if there are any outstanding complaints against that license holder. Also, call your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file.

If you are satisfied with the answers you find there, interview the contractor candidates. Ask what kind of worker's compensation insurance they carry and get policy and insurance company phone numbers so you can verify the information. If they are not covered, you could be liable for any work-related injury incurred during the project. Also be sure that the contractor has an umbrella general liability policy.

If they pass the insurance hurdle, next check some of their references. A good contractor will be happy to provide as many as you want.

Finally, don't let yourself be rushed into making a decision no matter how competitive the market may seem. Also, never pay a deposit to a contractor at the first meeting. You may end up losing your money.

Is remodeling worth the price and time?

Remodeling magazine produces an annual "Cost vs. Value Report" that answers just that question. The most important point to remember is that remodeling a home not only improves its livability for you but its "curb appeal" with a potential buyer down the road.

Most recently, the highest remodeling paybacks have come from updating kitchens and baths, home-office additions and extra amenities in older homes. While home offices are a relatively new remodeling trend, for example, you could expect to recoup 58 percent of the cost of adding a home office, according to the survey.

How do I look for fixer-uppers?

You can find distressed properties or fixer-uppers in most communities, even wealthier neighborhoods. A distressed property is one that has been poorly maintained and has a lower market value than other houses in the immediate area.

Ascertaining whether the property you're interested in is a wise investment takes some work. You need to figure what the average house in a given area sells for, as well as what the most desirable houses in that area are like and what they cost.

Some experts suggest that buyers who take this route try to find a "cosmetic fixer" that can be completely refurbished with paint, wallpaper, new floor and window coverings, landscaping and new appliances. You should avoid run-down houses that need major structural repairs. A house price that looks too good to be true probably is. A smart buyer will find out why before buying it.

The basic strategy for a fixer is to find the least desirable house in the most desirable neighborhood, and then decide if the expenses needed to bring the value of that property up to its full potential market value are within one's rehab budget.

Condos, Apartments & Single Family

What are the differences between condos and single-family homes?

Using appreciation as a measure, condominiums in some areas have been as profitable an investment as single-family homes in the past five years. And in some markets, condos appreciated even more, according to some experts.

While single-family homes have been the preferred investment by homebuyers, changing demographics are helping make condos more popular, especially among single homebuyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in high-priced markets.

Also, the condominium community has worked hard in the last few years to overcome image problems brought on by homeowners association and developer disputes as well as all too frequent construction-defect litigation.

Should I be looking into condos?

While condos never had the kind of appreciation experienced by single-family homes in the go-go 1980s, most ultimately have not lost value, say some experts. And with high prices in many urban markets and more single homebuyers in the market than ever before, the market for condos is strong.

As with any home purchase, you should do your homework about the neighborhood or development before you buy. In the case of condominiums, it is important to read the past six months of homeowners association minutes to see how effective the board is and to learn about any possibly detracting issues (such as protracted litigation with the developer).

The condominium community has worked hard in the last few years to overcome image problems brought on by disputes and lawsuits. Associations are becoming more sophisticated about property management and taking steps to prevent legal problems and disputes.

Condominiums have held their value as an investment despite economic downturns and problems with some associations. In fact, condos have appreciated more in the past few years than when they first came on the scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, experts say.

While there are lots of reports about homeowner's association disputes and construction-defect problems, the industry has worked hard to turn its image around. Elected volunteers who serve on association boards are better trained at handling complex budget and legal issues, for example, while many boards go to great lengths to avoid the kind of protracted and expensive litigation that has hurt resale value in the past.

Meanwhile, changing demographics are making condominiums more attractive investments for single homebuyers, empty nesters and first-time buyers in expensive markets.

How do homeowners associations work?

Learn everything you can about the homeowners association before you buy into a development governed by one. The association's financial, political and legal conditions are very important to your investment and quality of life.

When run properly, homeowners associations maintain the common grounds and keep civility in the complex. If you follow the rules, the association should not intrude on your privacy or cost you too much in association dues.

Poorly managed associations can drag down property values and make living there difficult for residents. Start by studying the association's covenants, codes and restrictions, or CC&Rs, and find out if you can live by them. For example, if the rules prohibit loud music after a certain hour and you like to play your CDs late at night, this may not be the place for you. Don't move in thinking you can get away with violating the rules or change them later because you may find yourself in turmoil with determined neighbors firmly in control of the association board.

Find out all you can about the association's finances. Beyond reviewing the budget, talk to the association treasurer and find out if dues are expected to increase and if any special assessments are planned. Ask if special inspections have revealed problems with roofs or plumbing that may cause a dues hike or special assessment later on.

Call and meet with the association president. If you are the type of person who despises intrusions into your private life and the president seems more interested in gossip about the residents than maintaining the property, this may not be the right condo complex for you.

Speak with residents to get their views on the association's finances, its property manager, how it operates and any politics. Associations are volunteer organizations with elected boards, like a mini-government, so politics can enter the picture and spoil a good thing.

Lastly, take some time to understand how homeowners associations are organized and how they conduct business. Like all real estate investments, the more you know the better off you are.

Is it difficult to project rents on rentals?

If you are buying a rental income property and applying for a loan to do so, the lender will require an area rent survey by a certified appraiser. The amount a landlord can expect to receive in monthly rent largely depends on what the property has rented for in the past, the condition of the building, its location and the current housing market.

Lenders also look at other cash-flow considerations. They want to know if you have enough reserves on hand to cover predictable and unforeseen expenses, such as property insurance, taxes, regular maintenance and repairs.

Vacation Homes

Are vacation homes a good investment?

You can buy a vacation home today for investment purposes as well as enjoyment. And yes, there are tax benefits.

Some people buy a vacation home to use as a permanent retirement home later, which allows them to get ahead on their payments. Another benefit is that the interest and property taxes on a vacation home are tax-deductible.

Some real estate experts predict that vacation homes will appreciate in value due to rising demand from the aging Baby Boom generation. You also can depreciate the property if you live in the house less than 14 days a year.

You also need to consider whether you can afford to carry two mortgages, pay for the extra utilities and maintenance costs, and how this investment fits into your total personal finance picture.

Having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy or sell your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This means also to help you in understanding each step of the buying or selling process. This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results.

Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping people meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what's in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home or get the best offer for your property. Therefore I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals.

Whether you are an experienced investor or a first time buyer, I can help you in finding the property of your dreams. Please feel free to browse my website or let me guide you every step of the way by calling or e-mailing me to set up an appointment today. Top Ranked Real Estate Agent in Ohio in 2015, RE/Max Victory Platinum Club, Sales Leader Club, DABR Award of excellence, Google Certified One Million Leads: Real Estate is Jill's full time business!

Jill's goal for her clients is to provide dedicated, exceptional and experienced service in selling their property and/or in making their Dream Home become a reality. She commits herself to sharing in-depth construction, renovation, staging and design experience; as well as her broad base market knowledge, skill set and determination throughout collaboration.

Jill and her full service team make a significant investment in the homes they sell. Prior to placing a home on the market, they work with sellers to optimize the presentation of their home, know their target market, share a marketing plan, assess the market value, prepare customized marketing materials, provide staging consultations and schedule professional photography. Once listed Jill implements strategies and negotiates your offer and contract and manages your transaction through closing.

Interviewing Real Estate Agents is one of the most important steps you can take in making the right decision before you even begin your buying/selling process. I invite you to contact me so that we can schedule your interview! Whether you are buying, selling, renting, renovating or investing: it is a privilege and pleasure to share our expertise and experience to best serve you.

Nearly $100 Million Dollars in Residential Sales

& 400 Satisfied Clients!

Having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy or sell your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This means also to help you in understanding each step of the buying or selling process. This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results.

Kathryn Sanford209 Forrer Blvd, Oakwood 45419

Jill and Kathryn did a superb job with the sale of my home! They gave targeted advice, both on improvements and pricing, and helped present the home optimally. Excellent availability and communication! The result was an offer very soon after listing and a prompt closing. I believe this experienced team has exceptional talent in all aspects of selling a house, including renovations/updates, the Oakwood neighborhood, the real estate market and in understanding the needs of buyers and sellers.

Angela Westendorf 435 Schenck Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill worked with us to get us the best possible offer. We previously had the house on the market with another realtor who did nothing. She had us redo the 1950's bathroom and helped us to remove the items that we did not want when we moved. Also, was able to get us repairmen we needed.

Kristin and Robert Aguiar 132 Lonsdale Avenue, Oakwood 45419

My husband and I initially had Jill over for an interview to access our home and she asked why we wanted to wait until March. She explained that we were in a prime time to sell now and if we waited until March, she couldn't say if it would be the same opportunity... so we decided to move forward and sell... from start to finish it was 1-day shy of 7 weeks! We never thought that our home would sell that fast and we never imagined that we would have such an amazing experience in selling our home! Jill and her entire team, from Jason, to Brenda, to Lisa, to Kathryn, to Kevin/Jeremiah and back to Jill at closing we had the best home selling experience EVER!!! THANK YOU Team Aldineh

Pamela Penchoff 225 Wisteria Drive, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team go above and beyond the necessary steps to make sure that the process of selling (or buying) a home is as stress free as possible and has many resources to achieve that goal in a timely fashion.

Michael Grenat 225 Wisteria Drive, Oakwood 45419

Jill has been excellent to work with. Jill has great knowledge of the Oakwood area of Dayton. She has helped us find an excellent mortgage broker, great inspector, and affordable contractors. This has been overall exceptional experience.

Jill was very patient with our many wants and needs and she was persistent in getting everything that we wanted in a house and in our price range. Highly recommended!

Rose Sherman 637 Peach Orchard Drive, Dayton 45449

They were very professional and knowledgeable and hardworking and help us provide a very nice home for the buyer. They help provide us with skill companies to get the repairs done.

Erin Gwin 2648 Big Woods Trail, Beavercreek 45431.

Got the job done! And quickly! These ladies know what they're doing!! Thanks Jill and team! Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Someone was always available 24/7 via text/phone/email. Jill was also able to connect me with the people I needed to get my house ready for sale.

Greg and Jackie Ramey 200 Harman Blvd, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team were just wonderful. They were professional, hardworking, and very knowledgeable. Jill's enthusiasm is infectious, which she balances with many suggestions concerning how to improve the salability of a house. We would absolutely recommended Jill. She is competent, caring and committed! Both her and her team are absolutely great!

Jeanne Boison 117 Pelham Drive, Kettering 45429

Jill and her team did a great job finding and negotiating a contract on a home I was interested in. Everything went quickly and closed without any issues. She is very knowledgeable about the Oakwood and Kettering areas and proved to be a valuable asset in looking for the perfect new home for me.

Lawrence Bach 432 Dellwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill helped us with a difficult situation while we were selling. She was very professional and sympathetic. The problem concerned one of the family members whose consent was required to sell the property. She also was able to keep the buyer interested in the property and helped close the sale.

Eric and Rebecca Evans 1019 Schantz Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill knew the Oakwood market and what it would take to sell our home. She advised us regarding improvements to make to increase our odds of selling. She also provided staging for the house that really contributed to our quick sale. We sincerely believe that having Jill on our team made our property sell.

I call her my super woman, if you want to sell your house call Jill! Hands downs best realtor we’ve ever dealt with. 4 days on the market and $1000 over asking price! What Jill and her assistant Kathy say they will do EXACTLY what they say they do!

Jill Aldineh & Team were amazing! This is the second time we've been fortunate enough to work with them and are sincerely grateful for their diligence, understanding, and advocacy. Our process, although unexpected, was extremely challenging. However, Jill &Team never missed a beat. Their hard work and perseverance got us through it. Jill & Team are very straightforward and exhibit an extended kindness beyond closing deals and consistent encouragement. Absolutely recommend them for any & all real estate needs. Thank you, Jill & Team!

Jill was very attentive to my needs. She has a great understanding of the local market and personally has been inside most of the homes that are on the market. She understood what we wanted and did not waste our time on houses that obviously were not want we were looking for. Jill was very accessible by phone and email.

Richard Mass 313 Thruston Blvd, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her entire team went above and beyond during the sale of our home. Jill knew what needed to be done to make the house attractive to buyers in the area. She explained this well and made it happen. The house sold quickly and at a great price! I will let Jill and her team help us again and I would not hesitate to recommend them to my family & friends. Thanks!

Elizabeth Cooper 306 Orchard, Oakwood 45419

Jill helped us with three house transactions in the last two years in both Oakwood and Kettering. She's very knowledgeable, quick to respond, and pleasant to work with! She sold our home in 48 hours and helped us find a very specific home to purchase that took a lot of searching. At this point I consider Jill a friend and feel very lucky to have found her.

Lee Etta Kasper 357 Monteray Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Our initial meeting with Jill was notable in her research and understanding of the current market and our property's value. She and her team were proactive from the listing to settlement; often anticipating/resolving issues before they became problems. Having a broad real estate background/experience, utilizing current effective marketing tools and providing constant

access/communication made the sale of our home a most enjoyable and profitable experience. We would highly recommend Jill and her Team to our family, friends and neighbors. :o)

Jill is the very best agent in the area especially in Oakwood. She was the first one responded to our listing interview requested. I told her we can give her 30 minutes for the listing presentation and she said, "can I have an hour because I have so much to share with you". My husband and I like this attitude, and this is our first positive impression about her even we haven't met her. Jill and her team gave us a great listing presentation and before she finished we had already made our mind to hire her even we haven't met the other agents yet. Once we signed our listing agreement, she lined up everything such as appointment with a professional photographer, open house date, staging, ads in our local newspaper, Our house was on the market two days later after the listing agreement signed and there were many showing requests made and scheduled the first day because she had called around. Within the first few hours we got a full price offer and our house was sold the first day on the market. We were very happy about this outcome. She then continued monitoring the whole process throughout until closing. She went above and beyond for some difficult situation that was out of our control and she solved all the problems with her smooth, professional skills that we believe no other agents will be willing to deal with. She is extremely knowledgeable and patient. She is a problem solver not a creator. Compared to other agents whom we interviewed, she is very excited about our home and she appreciated and valued the uniqueness of our home that other agents don't really pay attention to or care about. She has the best marketing and technology skills that is very important and essential in today's market. Jill and Yaser both have a very likable personality and they do things quick and always responded to our questions and needs right away even it's 11PM. We strongly recommend Jill and her team and will tell all our friends to hire her when considering selling their homes especially in Oakwood.

Kym Sellers400 Wonderly Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team works with you in an efficient, professional and thorough manner. She takes the time needed with you to sell your home. She knows the area and what is the clients want when looking for a home.

Thomas Kenworthy 253 Volusia Avenue, Oakwood 45409

Jill is a seasoned and very knowledgeable real estate agent (and a really nice person with a great sense of humor). I/we could not have asked for a more professional and courteous person (and team of people) to represent and sell our home.

Andy Janovsky 428 Monteray Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill came to our initial interview VERY prepared, and brought with her an infectious enthusiasm (as well as her daughter/business associate). She made such an overwhelming presentation that we, immediately after, cancelled any other interviews we had planned, and decided to hire her team. We were not disappointed!! Jill is extremely organized, and her motto must be "Why wait?" Things began to happen immediately. Pictures were scheduled. Ad copy was written by a professional. We signed an agreement on Sunday, and by Tuesday, our house was listed, Wednesday it was featured in the local paper, and on Thursday we signed a contract to sell. Jill didn't stop there. Closing was scheduled for 3 weeks later. Whatever detail needed to be addressed, she took care of. Any questions that we had, she answered. She scheduled required inspections, attended them on our behalf, and arranged for repairs to be done promptly to satisfy the buyers and inspectors. Throughout, she kept us informed, and was always available. We could not have been more impressed with her work, or more satisfied. We unreservedly recommend her services. Oakwood's Best!

Michael and Cassandra Rice 1502 Schantz Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill was amazing throughout the entire purchase and closing process! She was a true advocate for our personal and financial interests from the beginning, and certainly is an experienced, professional real estate agent in and out! My wife and I had the best experience with Jill, and would 100% recommend her to anyone purchasing a home in the Dayton area!

Helped in every way possible with the purchase of a house. Helped locate a home in our price range, arranged for us to see the houses, and helped us negotiate a fair price for the house we chose to buy. In addition, she provided us with the information and contacts we needed for the purchase process. Jill is the best!

JiIl brought us the buyers of our home in Oakwood, and then worked hard to bring the deal together and to closure, given some tricky financial, timing, and logistics issues involving the buyer of our house, the buyer of their house, and our move to another location in Dayton for our son. Jill, assisted by her husband and partner Yaser, helped us evaluate and purchase a house in Patterson Park. She masterfully handled and worked out countless issues (large and small) involving the three tranasctions -- these deals involved financial matters, inspection and repair issues, logistics and timing problems, and getting our new house out of an estate. Jill is extremely knowledgeable, practical, responsive, trustworthy, straightforward and personable. There are no issues that are too big or small for Jill and Yaser to address.

Shawn and Kelly Jones

If you’re thinking about listing your home in Oakwood and you’re not sure which agent to list with, may I strongly suggest that you list your home with Yaser and Jill Aldineh.

While it might not seem that the listing agent choice matters… let me tell you – IT DOES!

Not all situations are alike. You may need to sell quickly. You may want to get the highest price even if it takes a bit longer. You might want to do home improvements to reduce sales time but aren’t sure what will matter. If any of these situations are your concern… Please put your trust in Yaser and Jill Aldineh. I relocate quite often for my job. My wife and I have bought and sold 5 homes in the past 13 years. I have had the opportunity to work with several agents from many agencies all over the United States. None of them understood our unique situation and family needs like Yaser and Jill. We could quickly tell that the Aldineh Team doesn’t use the same strategy with every client like other real estate agents. We found them always working hard and looking for unique strategies to meet their clients varying expectations. I will be the first to admit that I am a tough client. In contrast, Yaser and Jill were patient. They established a game plane and worked the game plan together with us. They always gave us wise (and sometimes tough) counsel along the way. We did a lot of plan “tweaking” as we went along and I am happy to report, we hit ALL of our goals. But most importantly, we sold my home months faster than my wife and I ever thought possible!

Across the several homes and 5 states my family and I have lived in, there are only two agents I’ve done business with whom I trust implicitly. Those agents are Yaser and Jill Aldineh. The bottom line is if you just want a listing in the MLS and a colorful sign in your yard, you can get that anywhere. But if you want a trusted partner who will go out of their way to exceed your expectations, then you want to work with Aldineh Homes.

The services and support that Jill and her team provide are unparalleled. Jill and her team work around the clock to answer questions and provide access to resources and services that help simplify and demystify the process of buying and/or selling a home. You can see Jill's passion for what she does in the outstanding results that she delivers.

Jill has extensive knowledge of and experience within the local Oakwood market. She moves homes quickly and at great prices. The services and support that Jill and her team provide are unparalleled. Jill and her team work around the clock to answer questions and provide access to resources and services that help simplify and demystify the process of buying and/or selling a home. You can see Jill's passion for what she does in the outstanding results that she delivers.

Jill was far and away the best realtor I've ever dealt with. She works harder than any other realtor I've dealt with. I appreciate her attitude, demeanor, and how she doesn't beat around the bush when dealing with people. Her attitude and personality aligned perfectly with mine. Her network of contractors, etc. is an incredible luxury to have when both buying and selling a home, which made it very easy to make alterations/upgrades to homes without having to seek outside help.

Jodie and Scott Kulka27 Dixon Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Kathryn and Jill and infinitely knowledgeable about the Oakwood market and work hard for their clients.

David Bennedeto317 Dellwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill provided easy access to the resources necessary to get our house ready for going on the market. This was incredibly valuable as we were in the process of moving to the West Coast on very short notice and were overwhelmed with working out all of the logistics. Having help getting the house ready to show was instrumental to getting the house sold quickly.

Mary Bennedeto317 Dellwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

From beginning to end it was a great experience. Jill and her team handled all our house selling needs. Jill offered suggestions, options, services, etc. Jill was confident in the pricing of our home. I was happy with the communication, too. Jill only called/texted/emailed as needed and was prompt in returning any of my texts/calls. I would highly recommend Jill Aldineh to anyone needing a realtor. In a heart beat, I would use Jill again to list our home or help us to find a home.

Chad Burkhardt 17 West Peach Orchard Drive, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team did a great job.

Heather Burkhardt17 West Peach Orchard Drive, Oakwood 45419

Jill is a full service real estate agent! Her team helped us navigate the whole process from beginning to end. Her experience in staging for open houses, negotiations, inspections and repairs to paperwork and closing were invaluable to us. Excellent communication from Jill's team helped us to have peace of mind during the process that we had the support of a team of professionals and we were always in the loop on everything that was happening. No detail left untouched. Thanks Jill!

I met Jill at an open house she was hosting. I bought the house and used Jill as my realtor even though I had never met her until that day. She did such a great job and I trusted her expertise, that I used her as my agent to sell the home I owned. Jill is an expert in listing a house and getting results. I was very impressed on the amount of exposure she gave my home and the willingness to do what it takes to get it sold. I have worked with many realtors on previous home buying/selling, and she is one of the best. You can tell she loves what she does and always wants what's best for the client.

100% satisfied. I have used Jill in the past and have also referred her to friends and family - she never disappoints. She has sold homes for me in multiple city's and knows how to price them right. Each home has sold in less than 30 days. She also really cares about her clients. I highly recommend Jill and her team for buying and/or selling your home.

Jill provided exceptional service with the utmost professionalism! Their attention to detail enabled us to sell our home within the desired time frame and also purchase a foreclosure in accordance with the objectives and timelines we discussed. As an active duty service member I have lived in nine U.S. states and to have witnessed and participated in a selling and buying process that was executed with precision was an immeasurable joy! Obstacles were resolved expeditiously and open communications were maintained with all stakeholders. The Aldinehs have keen insight and knowledge in local properties and a host of quality contractors at their disposal. I forward my strongest recommendation to anyone considering the sale or purchase of their home within the Dayton metropolitan area to have a meeting with Yaser and Jill. You will be very pleased!

We are so appreciative of the support and advice given by Jill, which helped us sell our house in less than 12 hours! We also are grateful to the patience of Jill and her team in helping us find our new home in Oakwood. Jill's ability to make things happen, using her knowledge of the market and her service industry contacts (plumbers, electricians, general contractors, etc), made our experience much less stressful. And Jill's team (Lisa and Kathryn, especially) were fabulous to work with!

Jill and her team actively work to sell your home for the highest possible price. They are acutely aware of the Oakwood market and seek to make your dreams a reality.

Patrick Withrow and Josalyn Ruefly4069 Ken Klare, Beavercreek 45432

Felt like a personal relationship instead of a business transaction.

Kathryn made my wife and I feel like we were looking at houses with a friend instead of a stale business transaction. We were able to get a hold of her for any and all questions we had during the entire process. She understood our needs and we ended up with a home we LOV

Raul Ordonez440 Irving Avenue, Oakwood 45409

Jill is simply the best. She goes far beyond the call of duty for her client, and her extensive knowledge of the market is unmatched simply the best.

Jill and her team went far above and beyond our expectations. Their motivation, focus, and knowledge helped us get the best price for our house. 2 days after she listed our home a bidding war occurred and we accepted an offer better than our asking price. We've worked with many realtors over the years and Jill is the best. We give Jill our highest recommendation and look forward to working with her in the future.

Peggy and Martin Thompson335 Wiltshire Blvd, Oakwood 45419

Jill was very thorough. She was prompt about returning calls and answering questions. She always made us feel like we were her top priority no matter how busy she was. She made sure we got top dollar for our home. Overall excellent experience!!

Tina Bazzan105 Alpine Lane, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team were helpful every step of the way. She assisted us in figuring out what we needed to do to get what we wanted in our chosen neighbourhood at a competitive price.

These are just some of my reviews, please go to Zillow.com, Trulia.com, or Realtor.com for a complete list.

Rachel and Michael Hobbs621 Garden Road, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team were wonderful, they went above and beyond for us. I would recommend there expertise and professionalism to anyone. Thank you for everything, Rachel Hobbs

Michael and Andrea Lambert5763 Pondview Drive, Kettering 45440

Jill Aldineh and her team were very responsive in their communication and service. They consistently went above and beyond to provide anything that we needed during a very stressful tome. We would definitely refer to anyone to her.

Donald Reynolds919 Laurelwood Drive, Kettering 45419

Jill and her team were very professional. My house had been listed with a different realtor for six months and hadn’t moved. I started interviewing new realtors and Jill and Kathryn stood out. They told me what needed to be done to my house, helped me do it, and had it sold in a month.

Minh Hess319 Oakwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill and Katherine were great. They were very supportive during the process of staging and once the deal was in the works. They helped with donations and getting rid of stuff as we packed to move.

Jonathan Hess318 Oakwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill had helpful expertise on where to set the pricing on our house, and did a great job advertising well. I was particularly impressed with the photography, so the house showed well online. But it was the support Jill was able to facilitate cleaning the house out (donation and trash pick-up) and to make some minor repairs (quickly, done well, and cost effectively) that really set her apart. Jill knew what needed to be done and helped us get the house into the best possible shape.

We chose to work with Jill because of her knowledge of the market, her willingness to listen to our needs, and her exuberance! Our needs were very specific as we were looking for a home that had the potential to be remodeled into an ADA home but still in our price range. She delivered her expertise in the remodeling field exceptionally well. For each home we looked at she would spend hours formulating ideas and plans on how the house could work for us. She took the time to show us homes multiple times. She responded immediately to any questions we had and if she did not have the answer she took the time to find it. Jill is upbeat and honest in her assessment of your home and your future home!

The guidance and support we received from everyone on Jill's team lead us to a very quick sale!

Alyssa Santos309 Claranna Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Even with me out of state, things went well!

Jeremy Storost404 Peach Orchard Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team were amazing!!! Though Jill has numerous clients I felt like I was her only client throughout the entire process. She truly went above and beyond what I had expected of a realtor to help me sell my home. I would highly recommend Jill and her team to anyone buying or selling in and around the the Oakwood area!

Morgan Miller2628 Rockledge Trail, Beavercreek 45430

We worked with Lisa from Jill's team! As first time home buyers, my husband and I had little knowledge and a lot of questions. Lisa was always quick to reply when we reached out to her and she was patient, kind, and knowledgeable through the whole process. Having a realtor that we trusted made our first home buying process significantly less stressful and ultimately got us to closing feeling that we had made a fair deal on the perfect first home for us!

Tiffany Spahr

Lisa was our realtor. She has been wonderful to work with and there with us every step of the way. Always available to answer questions, and most importantly to calm my nerves when I was feeling slightly overwhelmed. She will be out to to realtor from here on out.

Natalie Johnston3850 Kenwick Drive, Kettering 45429

Lisa was our realtor. She has been wonderful to work with and there with us every step of the way. Always available to answer questions, and most importantly to calm my nerves when I was feeling slightly overwhelmed. She will be our realtor from here on out.

Ray Voelker431 East Drive, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team did a great job of bringing the home selling process to a conclusion we were all satisfied with!

Gil and Liz Mayeux

If you need to buy or sell a home in the Oakwood area, you should call Jill Aldineh. Jill and her team are not only #1 in Oakwood home sales, they are extremely caring people. We first met Jill, Kathryn and Lisa when our daughter was selling her home and buying a new one. Jill’s team of craftsmen did all of the repairs and upgrades necessary to sell the existing home and to make the new house a home. Based on these experiences, we turned to Jill to help us with a major real estate issue. Although Jill and her team are always extremely busy, Jill, Kathryn and Lisa jumped on our problem. They spent hours researching, analyzing data, creating visuals and the spreadsheets that we needed. Resolution of our issue would not have been possible without Jill’s help. We will certainly turn to Jill to sell our home in the future because, not only, is she an exceptionally gifted realtor, but also she and her team are genuinely nice people who care about and reach out to help others. If you have a real estate need, definitely choose Jill and her team because they will respond quickly, work tirelessly, get the job done in a timely manner, and as promised

Jill is the best realtor I have ever had the privilege to work with. She is professional and down to earth. Her entire team is genuine and truly has the interest of her clients at heart, which is not something you can say about most realtors. Jill makes home buying and selling easy and stress-free. She handles absolutely everything which is great because the logistics of buying or selling can become overwhelming. You don't know a great realtor until you've worked with Jill.

Cindy Stafford9291 Great Lakes Circle, Centerville 45458Jill made it fun. We were able to find a condo to call home and Jill's team accommodated are needs at a moments notice.

John Stafford9291 Great Lakes Circle, Centerville 45458

We found that the "Team" worked well together and communicated effectively and timely, Also, the "Team" looked out for our interest in the purchasing process.

Melanie Deaton5823 Freeman Road, Centerville 45459

What an extraordinary team. They not only found me my dream home, they did it in record time when I needed to move quickly out of a home that had flooded. They went above and beyond my expectations of what a realtor provides as services. Thank you so much

Jill is very personable, trustworthy, professional. Jill answered all questions quickly and honestly .Looking forward to working with Jill on other Real Estate projects as they arise.Thanks Jill and Team

3842 Kenwick Drive, Kettering 45429

Jill and her team was very responsive, understood her market and gave great advice. Was always upbeat and did what was needed to sell our home. I would use Jill again and do recommend her.

Carolyn Welsh3842 Kenwick Drive, Kettering 45429

Jill worked hard to get a buyer for our mother’s house.

Dorjee Kalsang and Sonam Norbu412 Dellwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

We had great help from Jill and her team in getting our house in shape before it was put up for sale. Since I was out of town most of the time their help meant a lot for my wife who was doing all of this by herself. The team went beyond what they were suppose to do and we are grateful for that.

Mikelle and Jeff Maddox426 Dellwood Avenue, Oakwood 45419

The Jill Team is the best for anyone wanting to buy or sell in Oakwood! We moved out of state before our home sold and she took care of everything in our absence. Thankfully our home is now sold and can be loved by a new family. We have sold homes previously and know it is not a fun time. With the Jill Team working for us, we were able to sell our home without the usual headaches and last minute hassles. A big Thank you to her entire team-we are very grateful we chose her team to represent us!

Megan Smith333 Peach Orchard Avenue, Oakwood 45419

Jill and her team were great to work with. They were easily accessible, knowledgeable and worked tirelessly alongside me to get my house to market and sold quickly.

Marcella Curtis3901 Fairmont Avenue, Kettering 45429

Jill answered all my questions immediately. She helped me through the whole process and made sure that I understood everything. She always offered to help me in any way she could. I would recommend her to anyone that was looking for an honest and reliable realtor!

Jessica & Larry B.

432 Dellwood Ave. Dayton, OH 45419Jill helped us with a difficult situation while we were selling. She was very professional and sympathetic. The problem concerned one of the family members whose consent was required to sell the property. She also was able to keep the buyer interested in the property and helped close the sale.

Regina Cox

115 Spirea Dr,Oakwood, OH 45419Jill knew the Oakwood market and what it would take to sell our home. She advised us regarding improvements to make to increase our odds of selling. She also provided staging for the house that really contributed to our quick sale. We sincerely believe that having Jill on our team made our property sell

Katherine Griffiths

315 Shafor Blvd,Oakwood, OH 45419Jill Aldineh & Team were amazing! This is the second time we've been fortunate enough to work with them and are sincerely grateful for their diligence, understanding, and advocacy. Our process, although unexpected, was extremely challenging. However, Jill &Team never missed a beat. Their hard work and perseverance got us through it. Jill & Team are very straightforward and exhibit an extended kindness beyond closing deals and consistent encouragement. Absolutely recommend them for any & all real estate needs. Thank you, Jill & Team!

Jane Novick28 W Thruston Blvd. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill was very attentive to my needs. She has a great understanding of the local market and personally has been inside most of the homes that are on the market. She understood what we wanted and did not waste our time on houses that obviously were not want we were looking for. Jill was very accessible by phone and email

Richard Mass313 Thruston Blvd. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill and her entire team went above and beyond during the sale of our home. Jill knew what needed to be done to make the house attractive to buyers in the area. She explained this well and made it happen. The house sold quickly and at a great price! I will let Jill and her team help us again and I would not hesitate to recommend them to my family & friends. Thanks!

Elizabeth Cooper306 Orchard Dr. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill helped us with three house transactions in the last two years in both Oakwood and Kettering. She's very knowledgable, quick to respond, and pleasant to work with! She sold our home in 48 hours and helped us find a very specific home to purchase that took a lot of searching. At this point I consider Jill a friend and feel very lucky to have found her.

Lee Kasper357 Monteray Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419

Our initial meeting with Jill was notable in her research and understanding of the current market and our property's value. She and her team were proactive from the listing to settlement; often anticipating/resolving issues before they became problems. Having a broad real estate background/experience, utilizing current effective marketing tools and providing constant access/communication made the sale of our home a most enjoyable and profitable experience. We would highly recommend Jill and her Team to our family, friends and neighbors. :o)

Kym Sellers400 Wonderly Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill and her team works with you in an efficient, professional and thorough manner. She takes the time needed with you to sell your home. She knows the area and what is the clients want when looking for a home.

Shawn & Kelly Jones517 E Schantz Ave. Oakwood, OH 45409

If you’re thinking about listing your home in Oakwood and you’re not sure which agent to list with, may I strongly suggest that you list your home with Yaser and Jill Aldineh.

While it might not seem that the listing agent choice matters… let me tell you – IT DOES!

Not all situations are alike. You may need to sell quickly. You may want to get the highest price even if it takes a bit longer. You might want to do home improvements to reduce sales time but aren’t sure what will matter. If any of these situations are your concern… Please put your trust in Yaser and Jill Aldineh. I relocate quite often for my job. My wife and I have bought and sold 5 homes in the past 13 years. I have had the opportunity to work with several agents from many agencies all over the United States. None of them understood our unique situation and family needs like Yaser and Jill. We could quickly tell that the Aldineh Team doesn’t use the same strategy with every client like other real estate agents. We found them always working hard and looking for unique strategies to meet their clients varying expectations. I will be the first to admit that I am a tough client. In contrast, Yaser and Jill were patient. They established a game plane and worked the game plan together with us. They always gave us wise (and sometimes tough) counsel along the way. We did a lot of plan “tweaking” as we went along and I am happy to report, we hit ALL of our goals. But most importantly, we sold my home months faster than my wife and I ever thought possible!

Across the several homes and 5 states my family and I have lived in, there are only two agents I’ve done business with whom I trust implicitly. Those agents are Yaser and Jill Aldineh. The bottom line is if you just want a listing in the MLS and a colorful sign in your yard, you can get that anywhere. But if you want a trusted partner who will go out of their way to exceed your expectations, then you want to work with Aldineh Homes.

Sincerely, Shawn and Kelly Jones Oakwood, OH

Thomas Kenworthy259 Volusia Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill is a seasoned and very knowledgeable real estate agent (and a really nice person with a great sense of humor). I/we could not have asked for a more professional and courteous person (and team of people) to represent and sell our home.

Andy Janovsky428 Monteray Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill came to our initial interview VERY prepared, and brought with her an infectious enthusiasm (as well as her daughter/business associate). She made such an overwhelming presentation that we, immediately after, cancelled any other interviews we had planned, and decided to hire her team. We were not disappointed!! Jill is extremely organized, and her motto must be "Why wait?" Things began to happen immediately. Pictures were scheduled. Ad copy was written by a professional. We signed an agreement on Sunday, and by Tuesday, our house was listed, Wednesday it was featured in the local paper, and on Thursday we signed a contract to sell. Jill didn't stop there. Closing was scheduled for 3 weeks later. Whatever detail needed to be addressed, she took care of. Any questions that we had, she answered. She scheduled required inspections, attended them on our behalf, and arranged for repairs to be done promptly to satisfy the buyers and inspectors. Throughout, she kept us informed, and was always available. We could not have been more impressed with her work, or more satisfied. We unreservedly recommend her services. Oakwood's Best!

Michael Rice1502 E Schantz. Oakwood, OH 45419

Jill was amazing throughout the entire purchase and closing process! She was a true advocate for our personal and financial interests from the beginning, and certainly is an experienced, professional real estate agent in and out! My wife and I had the best experience with Jill, and would 100% recommend her to anyone purchasing a home in the Dayton area!

Lorraine Kotler506 Volusia Ave. Oakwood, OH 45409

Helped in every way possible with the purchase of a house. Helped locate a home in our price range, arranged for us to see the houses, and helped us negotiate a fair price for the house we chose to buy. In addition, she provided us with the information and contacts we needed for the purchase process. Jill is the best!

Jay & Lisa Howell625 Harman Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419-

177 southbrook Dr. Washington Twp, OH 45459- Jill made quick work of selling our home for us. It was actually only listed for 1 week before we had 2 nearly full asking offers. She went through our home prior to listing and gave suggestions to change a few things for the pictures that she had taken for us. We also used Jill for the purchase of our new home, and she did a wonderful job representing us and getting the job done.

Thank you very much to Jay & Lisa Howell of Oakwood, Ohio for their wonderful review.

John & Jenny Falter225 Rubicon Rd. Oakwood, OH 45419-

Jill and her team did a great job for us! We would highly recommend her to others selling their house in the Dayton area. She is the hardest working realtor we have ever worked with. Jill was very responsive to our needs as sellers and took care of every last detail for us. She is very knowledgeable about older homes like ours and is a creative problem solver. We would not hesitate to work with her again in the future!

Doug & Monica Ford269 VolusiaAve. Oakwood, OH 45409-

Jill and Yaser were a great team!! We moved to our new home in Michigan while trying to sell our home in Oakwood. Jill repeatedly checked on our home while we were away, staged the lighting and even took care of the yard once we moved. They took away the stress of keeping up a house while being five hours away. After checking on the home, Jill would text me to let me know the house was fine and our belongings were safe. Jill also has a great group of contractors to help with repairs and updates needed for selling. We were very happy with Jill and Yaser as our realtors! We sold our home in just over 30 days.

Andrew & Karen Wonders234 Greenmount Blvd. Oakwood, OH 45419-

We chose to work with Jill because of the success she had in selling so many other properties in Oakwood and the surrounding areas. She was very knowledgeable and truly cared about the outcome of our sale. She treated us like we were the only clients she had to work with, staying up late to take phone calls and answering texts very early in the morning. Moving can be so stressful, it is nice to work with someone who is willing to help you every step of the way!

Bob & Sharon Weltner235 Ridgewood Ave. Oakwood, OH 45409-

JiIl brought us the buyers of our home in Oakwood, and then worked hard to bring the deal together and to closure, given some tricky financial, timing, and logistics issues involving the buyer of our house, the buyer of their house, and our move to another location in Dayton for our son. Jill, assisted by her husband and partner Yaser, helped us evaluate and purchase a house in Patterson Park. She masterfully handled and worked out countless issues (large and small) involving the three tranasctions -- these deals involved financial matters, inspection and repair issues, logistics and timing problems, and getting our new house out of an estate. Jill is extremely knowledgeable, practical, responsive, trustworthy, straight-forward and personable. There are no issues that are too big or small for Jill and Yaser to address.

Shawn & Kelly Jones517 E Schantz Ave. Oakwood, OH 45409-

If you’re thinking about listing your home in Oakwood and you’re not sure which agent to list with, may I strongly suggest that you list your home with Yaser and Jill Aldineh.

While it might not seem that the listing agent choice matters… let me tell you – IT DOES!

Not all situations are alike. You may need to sell quickly. You may want to get the highest price even if it takes a bit longer. You might want to do home improvements to reduce sales time but aren’t sure what will matter. If any of these situations are your concern… Please put your trust in Yaser and Jill Aldineh. I relocate quite often for my job. My wife and I have bought and sold 5 homes in the past 13 years. I have had the opportunity to work with several agents from many agencies all over the United States. None of them understood our unique situation and family needs like Yaser and Jill. We could quickly tell that the Aldineh Team doesn’t use the same strategy with every client like other real estate agents. We

found them always working hard and looking for unique strategies to meet their clients varying expectations. I will be the first to admit that I am a tough client. In contrast, Yaser and Jill were patient. They established a game plane and worked the game plan together with us. They always gave us wise (and sometimes tough) counsel along the way. We did a lot of plan “tweaking” as we went along and I am happy to report, we hit ALL of our goals. But most importantly, we sold my home months faster than my wife and I ever thought possible!

Across the several homes and 5 states my family and I have lived in, there are only two agents I’ve done business with whom I trust implicitly. Those agents are Yaser and Jill Aldineh. The bottom line is if you just want a listing in the MLS and a colorful sign in your yard, you can get that anywhere. But if you want a trusted partner who will go out of their way to exceed your expectations, then you want to work with Aldineh Homes.

Sincerely, Shawn and Kelly Jones Oakwood, OH

Nate & Julie Thompson123 Aberdeen Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419-

We were extremely pleased with our experience with Jill and Yaser Aldineh. They both were professional, courteous, flexible and knowledgeable. Our home buying experience with the Aldinehs was everything that one would hope for and we highly recommend them as real estate professionals.

Samuel & Elizabeth Eckhardt247 Green St. Oregon District-

Jill and Yasser were great, extremely helpful, and very personable as my wife and I purchased our first home. They were able to guide us through negotiating a fair price, finding a loan, and getting all of the necessary inspections done. They were great agents and I would recommend them to anyone. All people that they recommended (several banks, inspectors, etc.) for us to look into were extremely professional and were great as well. Overall, an awesome experience.

Matthew & Joyce Levering123 Aberdeen Ave, Oakwood, OH 45419-

We had Jill and Yaser do several repairs and renovations on our home before they staged it and put it up for sale. We moved out of state and left them in charge of the whole shebang. Our neighbors said the house and yard looked nice the whole time it was up for sale. Our home sold within four months during the slowest part of the year for this neighborhood. Thanks, Yaser and Jill!

Ken & Kristen Chong125 Wisteria Dr. Oakwood, OH 45419-

Yaser and Jill provided exceptional service with the utmost professionalism! Their attention to detail enabled us to sell our home within the desired time frame and also purchase a foreclosure in accordance with the objectives and timelines we discussed. As an active duty service member I have lived in nine U.S. states and to have witnessed and participated in a selling and buying process that was executed with precision was an immeasurable joy! Obstacles were resolved expeditiously and open communications were maintained with all stakeholders. The Aldinehs have keen insight and knowledge in local properties and a host of quality contractors at their disposal. I forward my strongest recommendation to anyone considering the sale or purchase of their home within the Dayton metropolitan area to have a meeting with Yaser and Jill. You will be very pleased!

In 2012 we purchased a home from Jill that had been extensively renovated by her. After nearly a year in the home I've found the quality of workmanship to be very high. We've also sold two home with Jill and found her representation to be very good and her staging of the homes was exceptional.

Kim Buckingham718 Harman Ave. Oakwood, OH 45419-

I met Jill at an open house she was hosting. I bought the house and used Jill as my realtor even though I had never met her until that day. She did such a great job and I trusted her expertise, that I used her as my agent to sell the home I owned. Jill is an expert in listing a house and getting results. I was very impressed on the amount of exposure she gave my home and the willingness to do what it takes to get it sold. I have worked with many realtors on previous home buying/selling, and she is one of the best. You can tell she loves what she does and always wants what's best for the client.

Michael & Rachel Hobbs621 Garden Rd. Oakwood, OH 45419-

Jill is a wonderful real estate agent, her knowledge and expertise in the field is beyond comparison. She was always on top of things and very quick to get things done. Jill was also great with answering questions or addressing any concerns we had. Very professional, great personality, someone who will go above and beyond for you. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for an agent!

Bill & Maureen Wagner103 Spirea Rd. Oakwood, OH 45419-

We chose to work with Jill because of her knowledge of the market, her willingness to listen to our needs, and her exuberance! Our needs were very specific as we were looking for a home that had the potential to be remodeled into an ADA home but still in our price range. She delivered her expertise in the remodeling field exceptionally well. For each home we looked at she would spend hours formulating ideas and plans on how the house could work for us. She took the time to show us homes multiple times. She responded immediately to any questions we had and if she did not have the answer she took the time to find it. Jill is upbeat and honest in her assessment of your home and your future home!

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